Lesmurdie Senior High School
Reid Road, Lesmurdie
Western Australia 6076

Principal John Stone

LESMURDIE STUDENTS P.A.R.T.Y.

May 6th, 2014

Twenty Year 10 and 11 students attended the P.A.R.T.Y. program at Royal Perth Hospital. The ‘Preventive Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth’ (P.A.R.T.Y.) program, aims to educate teenagers around the world about the consequences associated with risk-taking behaviour. During the intensive one-day program, aimed towards high school students in Years 10, 11 and 12, ambulance paramedics, trauma doctors and nurses give presentations to educate the students about the consequences of ‘risk-taking’ behaviour. Students also hear testimonies from survivors and victims.

In the program, students toured the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and Trauma Ward in Royal Perth Hospital (RPH). During the tour, students were encouraged to explore, touch and feel their surrounding environments. Not only did the students get to see the possible outcomes to people who indulge in risk-taking behaviour, but they also get to feel it by spending time in a wheelchair. This activity allowed students to experience the difficulties of having limited access and mobility when using a wheelchair.

Students were asked to fill out a survey at the beginning and the end of the day, reflecting on what they learnt, how effective they believe the program is, and whether they will enforce these lessons in their own lives.

According to a survey conducted by RPH, based on the responses of 4500 students, 63 per cent said in future circumstances the information they obtained from the program, would stop them from participating in ‘risk-taking’ behaviour. 77 per cent of students said they would share the information they learnt from the program with peers, friends and family.